New Delhi: With the University Grant Commission giving its nod for allowing foreign universities to set up their campuses in India, the aspiration of lots of students is likely to get fulfilled.

In its board meeting on Saturday, the UGC gave its nod to the Educational Cooperation Standard Promotion and Protection (ECSPP) under which top 500 foreign universities in the world can start their courses in collaboration with ‘A’ grade higher education institutions awarded by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The NAAC is functioning under the UGC and it is an organization that assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India.

The acting chairman of UGC Prof Ved Prakash said, “The students can be conferred Indian degrees after successful completion of their courses either from Indian campuses or from foreign study centers. It will depend on the foreign universities whether they will conduct the classes in India or at the foreign campuses.”

However, hundreds of higher education institutions are imparting education in collaboration with foreign universities. But they do not possess the government certification.

Once the Educational Cooperation Standard Promotion and Protection comes into effect, such educational institutions will have to fulfill the criteria. They will be given six months time for this.

Their recognition will be cancelled if they fail to live up to standard set by the UGC. Their grants will also be stopped.

On its website UGC will upload the names of institutions which are running in collaboration with foreign universities.

The United Progressive Alliance government has been busy with making law for entrance, management and regulation of foreign higher education institutions in the country since its first term. This Bill is yet to pass in the Parliament.